There have been recent talks about new trends and research regarding testosterone. While there are still ongoing research on the matter, it is quite fitting to know more about the male sex hormone. Before you start Googling and watching videos on recent research about it, it is best for you to understand the basics about testosterone and its significance in your body.

Testosterone, or “T” as researchers (even lay people) call it, is a type of androgen produced primarily by the Leydig cells in the testes/testicles. It is a hormone – a chemical messenger – that is responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics. Females also produce testosterone, but usually in smaller amounts.

In essence, without adequate testosterone, men can become infertile. This is due to the fact that the process of spermatogenesis, or the development of mature sperm, requires testosterone.

From that alone, you would figure out that it is indeed important for to the body to be able to function effectively. It is in fact linked to a variety of aspects in the human body such as mood, overall physiology, and even your chances of getting certain illnesses.

Good “T” Means Boosted Bravado

It is quite evident that when you have higher levels of T, you have a higher sex drive. As mentioned before, insufficient levels of the male hormone can make a man infertile. On the other hand, researchers have found out that when a man does have good levels of testosterone, he tends to be more confident, more engaged, and more driven in every aspect of himself.

A recent research study from the University of Bonnindicated that T may provide men with a sense of self-assurance and quick mental response, especially during human interaction. What the researchers did was they gave 46 people testosterone gel to be applied, while another 45 test subject got placebo gel. After a certain period, they invited all 91 people back to roll dice in private and report the numbers they got, receiving an equivalent amount of money from their rolls. They noted that the men who had the T gel reported more honestly than those who didn’t. What can be concluded from this is that T may somehow foster honesty in people.

To add grist to the mill, researchers from Wayne State University compared two groups of men competing to win the attention of an attractive woman and found that men with lower testosterone didn’t even stand a chance. Men with the highest T-levels were more assertive, controlled the conversation, and clicked better with women.

While “T” is considered a man’s hormone, it helps ladies in a big way, too. According to a 2009 study from the University of Michigan, women with higher T-levels reported more positive sexual experiences. Researchers have found that women with high levels of the hormone found sex to be soothing, relaxing, and peaceful. Past studies have also shown that women with elevated levels have more sex and are more likely to achieve orgasm.

Low Testosterone Links to Obesity and Diabetes

Aside from the renowned libido-boosting advantage of testosterone, there have been many studies that suggest complications with health when you aren’t getting the adequate levels. An association between diabetes and low testosterone has been recognized by the medicine community. This comes from the observation that men with diabetes are more likely to have low testosterone. Vice versa, men with low testosterone are more likely to develop diabetes later on in life.

Testosterone helps the body’s tissues take up more blood sugar in response to insulin. Men with low testosterone more often have insulin resistance. They need to produce more insulin to keep blood sugar normal.

Statistically speaking, approximately 50 percent of people who have diabetes have low testosterone. Scientists aren’t sure whether diabetes causes low testosterone, or the other way around. More research is needed, but short-term studies show testosterone replacement may improve blood sugar levels and obesity in men with low testosterone.

The same case has been established with obesity. Fat cells metabolize testosterone to estrogen, thus lowering testosterone levels. Also, obesity reduces levels of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), a protein that carries testosterone in the blood. Less SHBG means less testosterone.

In this regard, losing weight through exercise can increase testosterone levels. Testosterone supplements in men with low testosterone can also reduce obesity. If you are at risk, you should take a look at the best T-supplements out there. Check http://supplementyouneed.com/top-5-testosterone-boosters-with-reviews/ to learn more about the supplement and know what type fits you and your specific needs.

Testosterone Is Equal to Stronger Bones and More Muscle

Testosterone plays a huge role in bone mineral density. This comes from the fact that bone density declines as men age and testosterone levels drop. This raises the risk of weak bones and osteoporosis.

Research shows that bone density increases with testosterone treatment given that the dose is high enough. Clinical trials on the effect of testosterone on bone density have determined an increase in spinal and hip bone density. Similarly, another study on females transitioning into males found that testosterone increased bone mineral density. However, it’s unknown if testosterone can help with reducing fracture risk.

Furthermore, testosterone is responsible for increased muscle mass. Leaner body mass helps control weight and increases energy. For men with low testosterone, studies show that treatment can decrease fat mass and increase muscle size and strength. Some men reported a change in lean body mass but no increase in strength. It’s likely that you could see the most benefits when you combine testosterone therapy with strength training and exercise. Now, if you do want to get that lean muscle supported by stronger bones, taking the right amount of T supplements may help you get there.

Better Mood and Memory with “T”

At a moment when you have low “T”, the natural effect in your body would be low sex drive and weight gain, as mentioned above. Its effect on your psychology may even be way worse, causing you to feel more pessimistic and lose your sense of confidence. Plus, there is also evidence of a more direct effect of low testosterone on your mood.

According to research in the Endocrine Journal, 23% of young men with newly diagnosed low testosterone met the criteria for depression, compared to only 5 percent of young guys with normal levels of the hormone. Research backed that claim as showed in a study of almost 4,000 men older than 70. Those who had the lowest testosterone levels were twice more likely to be depressed. Given the data, the relationship of testosterone with one’s mood remained in spite of the person’s age, general health condition, obesity, and other variables.

Empty testosterone receptors in brain areas linked to mood are likely responsible for your depressed state. On top of that, mood disorders like depression or anxiety can kick off a vicious cycle. Depression can suppress your testicles’ ability to produce testosterone, worsening the problem.

Many studies are showing that men with higher ratios of total testosterone have a reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. There’s also evidence for a strong correlation between testosterone and thinking abilities such as verbal memory and faster mental processing speed. Testosterone treatment for men 34 to 70 years old has shown an improvement in spatial memory. Ultimately, to goal is to maintain, if not raise, the levels of your testosterone as much as possible at any stage of your life.

Comments Off on Lifestyle Check: How to Start Living Up to Your Full Potential

There was a time in human history when all human beings were contented with earth’s abundance all around them. Mother earth could provide all the riches a human being needed to sustain their life. If you wanted meat, wildlife provided more than enough. If you preferred fruits and vegetables, you could practically wander around anywhere and grab it!

Back then, life was simple. Life was about survival. The entire earth was your safe haven, and you already had everything you needed in order to survive: the prehistoric wealth that surrounded you.

As time passed, the human race has continuously wondered and wandered. Their minds, filled with curiosity, sought to explain the seemingly infinite amount of possibilities of the universe. “What will happen if…?” “When will this be…? “Who will lead us to…?” “Where will this…?” Questions popped up like droplets from a raging waterfall. Eons later, we’ve arrived at the present time. The current generation.

People are now learning to survive and thrive in a world that has evolved faster than they have. Thought, once, life was much simpler, people have continued to search for the “answers” behind the complexities of life in order to attain their inner growth. However, for better or worse, the human race is still keeping up with the world’s trends, and staying alive while accepting the near-constant changes that our world brings.

It’s time to see if your life is still on-track and if you’re ready to take it to the next level.

Life Goals

Your goals define you. Goals determine how people choose to live their own individual lives. It speaks of how you were groomed to be the next batch of active people to rule the earth. What goals you set for yourself ultimately determine how what type of person you are, and where you will be in the future.

Nowadays, people are constantly busy trying different ways to succeed and understand the game of life – to the point that they often forget what it means to actually live. Laying out goals for yourself paves the way to being self-content and personal satisfaction. Thus, truly living life!

Finding personal satisfaction means being contented with what you have. It can be simple: when a person wears his favorite pair of shoes during a game of basketball, he feels more comfortable and more powerful. Even that is contentment.

The same level of confidence exudes from a lady striding confidently as she walks by with her new and glamorous dress, or when a man flaunts his finely contoured body as a result of his regular routine at the gym.

Your goals could be absolutely anything. It’s not the goals themselves that matter, it’s the satisfaction you get from reaching them. For instance, physical goals may include the simple but worthwhile goal of living a healthy life.

Almost everyone shares the same objective of achieving a healthy life. You have to watch the food you eat, the activities you engage in, and the length of time you put into your much needed rest.

No matter how much time and energy you spend, if you feel the ends results are worth it, then they are worth it.. What is important is to know what you want and why you want it. The how’s can follow. When the heart and mind is pure, your goals will materialize.

The Technology Effect

Humans are social beings. We are always trying to connect to more people through any means possible

Technology comes to the rescue by allowing various developments and discoveries by humankind to continue. Living life has become a wonderful thing for anyone to do. Despite all the negatives, there are many things that we have today that improve our lives – and that is thanks to technology.

Nowadays, some children, even some adults, are not fully comfortable with meeting up with a person in the flesh. In the modern age, where things that seemed impossible before have been made possible, nothing is ever as it seems. From telegrams to cellphones, from black and white images to high definition videos, from riding horses to flying with airplanes, all of those things has brought about massive societal changes and many have affected relationship building.

At the end of the day, networking matched with the burning desire to keep the lines of communication open is the greatest tool for anyone to find success in life. What is important with technology is to embrace it while also ensuring that you don’t become overly reliant on it.

Right now, you can easily see hundreds of thousands of people using their handy-dandy cellular phones to take pictures and videos of their precious moments with their loved ones. Even things that seem as simple as the best air purifier are marvels of modern technology.

There’s nothing wrong with what technology has brought to humankind – despite the negatives. In fact, it’s made the world easier to live in and often even more entertaining. However, the fact that people are becoming entirely too dependent on it seems to be a growing trend.

Growing Up with Modernization

No one can deny that things have been lost due to the process of modernization. You may be tired of hearing that line from your parents and grandparents, but it does have merit. As they say, leave the past behind and stay focused on what is happening right now. History is always worth telling to the young generation, but not worth being stuck on. There will always be a never ending cycle of then and now when it comes to the stories of each and every generation.

Don’t you want to reminisce to the time when buildings, cars, and pollution didn’t cover the Earth? Who wouldn’t want to stroll around again at the astonishing green fields of grass which are now filled with countless skyscrapers? Or perhaps you miss the days when people were actually having fun conversing with each other and not with their phones? Imagine what this modernized world could be if just a few of those things were taken away. Perhaps this world really would be better off. Perhaps things would be in balance, and everyone would be much better off. It’s hard to say for certain.

The task that now lies ahead for people is maintaining the boundaries of modernization while focusing on personal growth. Ensuring that technology stays in its own place, while being part of the our society’s growth. Yes, it is a challenge. However, if we are able to so, the world will certainly be a happier and healthier place.

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As they say, there are two sides in every story. No matter how long and dark the road may be, there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel. The most important thing is that people are growing up and catching up to the demands of the modern world. There is no turning back in this constantly evolving world, and everyone shares his or her participation towards its progress.

No matter who you are, no matter where you are, time will never stop moving, and our world will never stop evolving..

So when it comes to living the life to its fullest, always remember that the outcome is entirely what YOU make it.

Over-Studying – Are You Studying Too Much?

Are you one of those students who keep on telling yourself that student loans are SO expensive that you simply cannot afford to fail?

Are you the type of student that stays up late everynight with your cup of coffee, highlighters, sticky notes and review materials for the sake of not getting an F?

There are probably moments that you just want to lie in your bed during weekends and dream that maybe, just maybe there will be another day hidden in some self storage units in Perth which you could put between Saturday and Sunday. It just feels entirely unfair that the time between Friday and Monday always passes in what seems like seconds.

But it might be time to assess things, you might just be one of those students who believe in quantity over quality when it comes to studying and getting work done. Try to assess yourself right now. Are you one of these students?

Try to ignore all your biases and prejudices. Focus on asking yourself if you are indeed studying more than you should.

At some point of your life, you may be over-studying in order to ace or pass your classes. You are the type of student who takes the time to review their notes during bus or train rides, as if it is an extension of the library or your room. Perhaps over studying has now become a part of your routine – just like an ordinary part of your student life.

How To Know If You’re Studying Too Much

Your eyes are starting to twitch. Eye twitching is pretty easy to recognizing, and also pretty alarming. This usually happens when you stare at something for too long.

You regularly eat your lunch or dinner later you should. If you start working on your homework at 10 in the morning, there may be more than a few times when you look at your clock, and it has suddenly jumped to 4 in the afternoon. In some cases, you completely forget to eat your dinner as the clock has already struck 12.

You now display poor personal hygiene. This happens when you stay up late at night. For an example, you start studying at one in the morning and then you end up sleeping at six. You will probably wake up at around three in the afternoon! Thus, you have completely forgotten about taking a shower! If taking a shower late in the afternoon is your regular routine, then you might be over studying.

You are consuming way too much caffeine. You drink coffee more than you drink water. You constantly remind yourself that you cannot afford to fall asleep or else you will end up paying for the same subject next term.

The library is starting to feel like your second home. In some cases, you opt to spend too much of your time in coffee shops. There are moments when the librarians or baristas have already become your new found best friends in life.

Words become jumbled. This is when you begin to see words that are jumbled right in front of you. You cannot find where a sentence begins, or understand what you are reading at all, only to find out that you are reading the incorrect section of the incorrect book. You need sleep.

You start sleeping during classes. You may have topped your class during midterms but it’s not a good impression if your professor sees you sleeping during lectures.

Your classmates are your best friends. In other words, you do not see other group of friends aside from your classmates. You are no longer paying attention to your emotional and social needs.

You hoard your mugs, plates, spoons and forks in your bedroom. Once you arrive home, you grab your dinner and go straight to your reading materials. You start to forget that your utensils need some washing too.

You pass out while reading your assigned book for your class. You cannot remember how or when you unknowingly closed your eyes. You just sleep there since your body has finally given in to the soft comforts of your bed.

You have the tendency to forget things. Even though you have complete notes on your Analytical Geometry class, you cannot remember the formulas. Sometimes you even forget to study…meaning now you have to study more to make up for it!

Your room looks like a complete disaster. Your clothes pile on your bed. Your used clothes have become a resident of your bedroom corner for more than three weeks now. Your school supplies are just all over the floor. Your room has gone wild.

What Are The Effects Of Studying Too Much?

The ability to learn lowers as time passes by. You always get tired. You stay up late for two or three days in a row. In other words, your body and mind are not getting enough rest.

Excessive caffeine intake can harm your heart. It can increase the risk of having high blood pressure and heart attacks.

Sacrificing quality time with your family and friends. Instead of going to hangout with your friends or go shopping on Sunday mornings, you gather all the sleep you needed in order to be ready to face Monday once again. You lost quality time with the people you treasure the most. This can harm your emotional stability.

Academic stress can lead to a damaged brain. Excessive stress can cause inflammation in your brain, which leads to memory loss and depression.

Stress can increase the rate of reproduction of cancer cells. Due to your lifestyle, you do not allot enough time to have your regular checkups. This can lead to diseases that you might not know about. The stress can help the cancer cells spread faster.

Less time for exercise. Let’s face it – no one can exercise and study simultaneously. This lack of physical activity may lead to many different health conditions that can affect your heart.

Stress eating can lead to a number of illnesses. If you settle for sweets, this can result in diabetes. If you are a salt person, this can cause many problems with kidney function.

How Do I Change The Habit Of Studying Too Much?

List all the things you have to accomplish within a certain week, and focus on the top 5.

Categorize your workload based on importance and/or deadlines.

Strictly follow your schedule.

Do not waste your time browsing your social media accounts for an extended period of time.

Look for a place that is conducive to completing your work efficiently.

Do not use your room as your workplace in order for you to not have to remember your stress before sleeping.

It doesn’t matter how important it is to study, too much is too much. At some point, you just have to stop worrying about your school loans and give yourself the rest that you deserve. There is no point in having A’s in all classes or passing all your exams if you end up in a hospital bed.

Remember, hospital bills are far more expensive than student loans! Instead of helping your family have a bright future, you might end up leaving them in debt.

It’s not too late to save yourself from a lot of stress in the long run. You always have your choices. You just need to learn to choose the right ones.